In a tragic incident at the S.V. Zoological Park in India, a man lost his life after he intentionally jumped into a lion enclosure. The man, identified as Prahalad Gurjar, disregarded warnings from zoo staff and climbed the wall and chain-link fencing to enter the enclosure where a male Asiatic Lion named Dungarpur was on display.
Despite efforts by the zookeeper and security staff to warn and save Gurjar, the lion attacked him within minutes of his entry into the enclosure. Reports suggest that the man's actions may have been driven by a desire to take a selfie with the lion, as police noted that he appeared to be intoxicated at the time of the incident.
Zoo curator C Selvam emphasized that precautions had been taken to prevent such incidents and expressed the intention to review security measures to avoid similar tragedies in the future. Following the attack, zoo staff promptly informed the authorities, and the man's body was recovered from the enclosure. It was reported that Gurjar may have succumbed to excessive bleeding from the lion mauling him within a span of 10 minutes.
The incident has sparked an investigation by the police, as they seek to understand the circumstances that led to Gurjar's untimely death. The man's relatives have been notified, and his body has been sent for a post-mortem examination at the SVRR Government General Hospital.
This tragic event serves as a somber reminder of the importance of adhering to safety regulations and respecting the boundaries set in place for both the visitors and the animals in zoological facilities. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Prahalad Gurjar during this difficult time.
